updated 12:15 pm EDT, Wed September 17, 2008

Mamiya ZDb digital back

In advance of this month's Photokina 2008 expo, camera maker Mamiya has announced a new digital back for medium-format cameras. The ZDb is a revision of the company's current digital back (pictured), and like its sibling, will sport a 22-megapixel resolution. The key difference will be a new buffer with twice the memory, able to shoot up to 22 full-quality RAW files before offloading. The current back is only capable of 10 shots.

The ZDb will also add compatibility with SDHC cards up to 32GB in size, in addition to support for regular SD and CF cards. Full functionality for the back will only be present with Mamiya's 645AFD III camera, however, whose 35 function controls will be displayed on the ZDb's LCD. Pricing and release dates for the back are expected later this fall.

Mamiya meanwhile says it is preparing a beta release of its new Remote Capture software, which will allow tethered shooting through a ZDb. The download is expected "soon."